How to Prevent Web & App Data Tracking on Your iPhone in iOS 14

Apps that you install on your phone can sometimes track your web and app activity outside of those particular apps—even when you’re not using them. This activity data is often sold to third parties to help them make advertising decisions. With iOS 14, they can’t track your data on the iPhone without your permission, but sometimes it’s easier to just stop apps from asking in the first place, so you never have to worry about allowing tracking by mistake. Let’s look at the simple way to stop apps from tracking your activity.

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Related: iPhone Location History: How to Turn Off Significant Location Tracking

How to Locate & Disable App Data Tracking

This is a multi-step process, but don’t worry! It’s pretty simple. Along the way I’ll also point out some optional privacy steps that may interest you.

1. Go into the Settings app.
2. Scroll down until you see Privacy, and tap on it.
   
   
    
3. You will see Tracking near the top. Tap this option.
   
   
    
4. If the Allow Apps to Request to Track toggle is green, tap on the toggle to switch it off; it’ll turn gray.
5. If you’d like to read about this feature, you can also tap the blue Learn More… link to see what kinds of information are involved in tracking.
   
   

It’s that simple! It’s worth noting though that certain apps like Google, Facebook, and other account-based sites may be able to continue tracking your data as part of your user agreement for their platforms.

Optional Steps You May Find Helpful

If you’re concerned about advertising and data sharing, you may want to check the Apple Advertising setting as well. It’s a quick process. Another great way to learn more about protecting your privacy on the iPhone is to sign up for our free Tip of the Day Newsletter.

1. In Settings, scroll down and select Privacy.
2. Scroll all the way to the bottom and tap Apple Advertising.
   
   
    
3. Here you can read about Apple Advertising and see what information is collected and used by clicking either of the blue links.
4. If you’d like to turn off personalized advertising, you can tap the Personalized Ads toggle to disable the function.